What it Means to Fight the Good Fight - Sundance 2020
Last year, I attended the Sundance Film Festival for the first time. For several years, I’ve supported women-led production companies that make impact films and was invited to join the Women of Sundance Leadership Council. The Council is dedicated to creating gender equity in filmmaking and building pathways for more women to emerge as storytellers.
This year I’m going not only as a Council member but also as a first-time associate producer on a documentary called, “The Fight,” directed by one of those women storytellers: Elyse Steinberg. The film is produced by Elyse, Josh Kriegman, Eli Despres, Peggy Drexler, and actor and producer Kerry Washington. You might also know of Elyse and Josh by way of their documentary, “Weiner,” which chronicles the events around the former congressman’s 2013 mayoral run.
The world premiere of “The Fight” at 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Sundance Institute
“The Fight” takes us inside the high-velocity world of the ACLU’s scrappy lawyers, who are also affectionately referred to as the “freedom nerds.” These attorneys have been working at light speed since January 20, 2017 — the beginning of an unprecedented and aggressive assault on American civil liberties. In the past three years, they have filed more than 140 lawsuits and more than 100 other legal actions against the current administration and others that have attempted to cut back on civil rights and civil liberties. This film is truly a real-world legal thriller about what life is like on the front lines fighting for justice. It’s also an eye-opener for people who may not appreciate the full scope of what the ACLU does to protect our civil rights.
The world premiere of the “The Fight” is at Sundance on Friday, January 24. There will be multiple screenings, so if you’re there, check out the guide for more information. There’s plenty of buzz about the film, and we’re hoping it will soon be seen outside the festival at theaters and potentially featured on one of your favorite streaming services.
A Front Row Seat - The ACLU in Action
Norma Chavez-Peterson and Ahilan Arunlanatham lead the ACLU Border Tour, October 2019. Photo: Suzanne Lerner
I immediately connected with “The Fight” because as an ACLU of Southern California foundation board member, I’ve seen these legal gladiators in action. Late last year, I traveled to the border with a delegation led by Ahilan Arulanantham, senior counsel, ACLU of Southern California, and Norma Chavez-Peterson, executive director, San Diego ACLU. Our purpose was to better understand the scope of the legal work being done to fight family separation, unlawful detentions, and other pressing issues. Bardis Vakili, senior staff attorney and immigrants’ rights advocate with the San Diego ACLU joined us and spoke to the group about the work of the ACLU Border Litigation Project. We also learned more about humanitarian efforts underway to provide shelter and basic needs for refugees and immigrants who are released after spending months in detention centers.
Please visit the ACLU site to learn how to connect to a local chapter in your state.
Getting Involved at the Border
Just some of the dedicated humanitarians who run migrant shelters in Tijuana. Photo: Suzanne Lerner
For more information on legal and humanitarian initiatives at the border, check out these links:
Legal work at the border, visit the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project.
Refinery 29 — How You Can Help Children at the Border
Texas Tribune — List of Organizations That Are Mobilizing to Help the Influx of Immigrants
Yes! Solutions Journalism — 20 Ways You Can Help Immigrants Now